Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 14:16:17 -0700
From: Eros Publishing
Subject: Press Release
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Rick Garcia
July 23, 1998 773-244-3371
Nadine Smith
813-417-1456
Roger Leishman
312-201-9740
RED LOBSTER DROPS CHALLENGE TO GAY RIGHTS LAW
CHICAGO Following meetings with gay rights activists in Chicago, the
Red Lobster Restaurant chain dropped its challenge to the Cook County
Human Rights Ordinance, affirmed that it does not tolerate discrimination
based on sexual orientation and apologized to the lesbian and gay community.
"We welcome Red Lobster's withdrawal of their legal challenge to the
human rights ordinance and their statement that they support it 'fully and
without qualification' ," said Rick Garcia, director of the Illinois
Federation For Human Rights. "We are pleased with Red Lobster's affirmation
that they will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation."
On July 17 and again on July 22, Red Lobster officials met in Chicago
with representatives of the Federation and Roger Leishman, director of the
gay and lesbian rights project of the ACLU Illinois and new co-chair of
the Federation of Statewide LGBT Political Organizations. In addition,
Nadine Smith of Equality Florida worked closely with the Chicago activists
in planning strategy.
"We are pleased to see Red Lobster withdraw their inappropriate and
unsupported legal challenge to the ordinance," said Leishman.
"The quick and positive resolution to this situation demonstrates the
importance and power of state and local groups working together," said
Smith.
#30#
Joint Statement of
Rick Garcia, director
Illinois Federation For Human Rights
Nadine Smith, executive director
Equality Florida
Roger Leishman, co-chair
Federation of Statewide LGBT Political Organizations
We welcome the withdrawal of Red Lobster's legal challenge to the Cook
County Human Rights Ordinance and the company's affirmation that it
"supports fully and without qualification both the spirit and letter
of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance".
Red Lobster responded quickly and responsibly to our concerns and
company representatives worked diligently to resolve the issues we raised.
We are pleased that Red Lobster has issued a strong statement that the
company maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance against discrimination
of any kind and, specifically, will not tolerate discrimination based on
sexual orientation.
We accept Red Lobster's apology and we look forward to future constructive
relationships. We will continue to encourage and educate the business
community on creating fair workplaces for all employees. qnews
Mark Thompson
Mark.Thompson@vwr-inc.com
http://www.vwr-inc.com
http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm